RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (MNTV) — Technology executives and government-linked industry leaders spotlighted Saudi Arabia’s expanding ambitions in artificial intelligence during the Oracle AI World Tour in Riyadh, highlighting AI’s growing role in economic diversification and digital transformation.
The one-day event brought together senior government officials, business leaders, technology decision-makers, developers, and innovators to explore how AI-driven solutions are reshaping industries and enabling secure, scalable innovation across the Kingdom.
Speakers underscored progress in AI-powered cloud infrastructure, databases, and enterprise applications, positioning artificial intelligence as a core pillar of Vision 2030’s drive to boost productivity and long-term economic growth.
Saud Al-Sheraihi, Vice President of Digital Solutions at stc, said demand for digital services in Saudi Arabia is accelerating. He noted that the digital economy now contributes more than 16 percent of GDP and is expected to grow further as the Kingdom positions itself as a global hub for AI innovation.
Richard Smith, Oracle’s Executive Vice President for Technology in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, said the conference reflected Oracle’s long-term commitment to Saudi Arabia and its expanding role in the regional AI ecosystem. He highlighted that Oracle has invested more than $14 billion in the region as part of its growth strategy.
Smith added that AI adoption has moved beyond experimentation, with organizations now focused on achieving measurable business outcomes through the integration of cloud, data, and AI technologies. He said adoption is accelerating across government, telecommunications, and enterprise sectors, driven by the need for secure, locally hosted cloud solutions.
Saudi officials have stated that the Kingdom plans to invest more than $40 billion in artificial intelligence by 2030, with expectations that total investment will continue to rise.
Reham Al-Musa, Vice President of Cloud Applications for the Public Sector and Country Leader for Oracle Saudi Arabia, said the event aligned with national ambitions to establish Saudi Arabia as a leading global AI economy, with artificial intelligence driving innovation, enhancing public services, and strengthening human capital competitiveness.
Conference sessions examined AI adoption across government, finance, telecommunications, supply chains, and customer services. Participants engaged in technical labs, live demonstrations, and discussions focused on real-world AI applications across sectors.
